Fox News Sees Surge in Jewish Viewership as Network Stands Firm on Israel Coverage

By: Fern Sidman

In the wake of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist assault on Israel, followed by the devastating war in Gaza and a resurgence of antisemitism in the U.S., Fox News has seen a remarkable and sustained surge in viewership from American Jewish audiences—including those in traditionally liberal strongholds. As JewishInsider.com reported on Tuesday, this uptick in interest is rooted not only in Fox’s hard-hitting journalism from the region but in its unflinching support for Israel at a time when many Jews feel marginalized by other mainstream media outlets.

One of the most visible champions of that support is veteran Fox News anchor Dana Perino. As the JewishInsider.com report recounted, Perino’s long-standing connection to Israel began more than two decades ago, during her time as White House press secretary for President George W. Bush. Having traveled to the region numerous times in the early 2000s and worked alongside Bush during the post-9/11 era, Perino developed a deep understanding of the security threats Israel faces—and of the broader geopolitical context shaping U.S.-Israel relations.

“Once you learn those issues, they are ingrained in you,” Perino told JewishInsider.com. “To me, it was an obligation and an honor to tell the story the way it needed to be told: bluntly with really engaging guests that did not gloss over the complexities of the situation, but [were] very honest about drawing a line between right and wrong.”

Perino’s stance is not an outlier within the network. As the JewishInsider.com report noted, Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch publicly committed to combating antisemitism in the weeks following the October 7 attacks. That corporate stance quickly manifested in tangible editorial action: Fox News launched a dedicated newsletter and online section called “Antisemitism Exposed,” which tracks rising anti-Jewish hate worldwide.

This editorial focus has not gone unnoticed by viewers, particularly in America’s liberal metropolitan centers. According to Nielsen data cited by JewishInsider.com, Fox News viewership among the critical 25-54 demographic surged between October 8, 2023, and April 14, 2025: up 46% in Los Angeles, 42% in New York, and 62% in Philadelphia. By comparison, CNN posted single-digit gains in those markets, and MSNBC actually saw a decline in New York viewership over the same period.

Fox News’ willingness to take a firm and unapologetic pro-Israel stance has resonated not only with conservative Jews but with many liberal ones who now feel alienated by coverage on networks like CNN and MSNBC.

Jessica Tarlov, a liberal commentator and co-host of Fox’s “The Five,” told JewishInsider.com that she frequently hears from left-leaning Jewish friends in New York who have started watching Fox. “A bunch of friends who are all Democratic voters… I hear quite regularly people say they are making a choice to consume content that reflects the world they see—which is that there was a massive terrorist attack against the Israeli people and that’s the most important component of this,” she said.

According to Tarlov, many of these viewers feel completely unrepresented in mainstream media discussions of the conflict. “They have found a home at Fox,” she added, “and are enjoying the rest of the coverage that we do on top of that.”

A major contributor to this credibility is the network’s Middle East coverage, led by Tel Aviv-based chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst. As the JewishInsider.com report highlighted, Yingst was the first reporter from a major American news outlet on the ground during the October 7 attacks. His firsthand reporting—later chronicled in his 2024 book Black Saturday—brought clarity and urgency to American audiences as the crisis unfolded.

Fox News has not let up in its attention to the story. Even as campus protests begin to wane and global attention shifts elsewhere, the network continues to keep the plight of Israeli hostages and the broader war in focus. “The story is not over,” Perino said. “Never forget every day that there are hostages being held in Gaza.”

Fox’s engagement with the Jewish community now extends beyond hard news. As the JewishInsider.com reported, the network’s subscription streaming platform, Fox Nation, recently premiered Rebound: A Year of Triumph and Tragedy at Yeshiva University Basketball. The documentary, released earlier this month, explores how the school’s basketball team has navigated personal and communal challenges in the shadow of October 7.

Such content speaks to a broader cultural outreach effort—one that acknowledges the complex emotional and spiritual dimensions of Jewish life in the wake of trauma.

Fox’s visibility and vocal support have not gone unnoticed in Israel. During a visit to the network’s Jerusalem bureau by senior leadership, an IDF soldier recorded a heartfelt video message to the co-hosts of “The Five.” “We love you all very much,” the soldier said. “Thanks for supporting Israel. This is a blessing from the IDF. Please come and visit us anytime. It is safe here. And when you come, you’re always welcome to each and every home.”

For many Jewish viewers—especially those who once dismissed Fox News as ideologically incompatible—the network has become a lifeline. Its coverage, which places Hamas’ terrorism and Israel’s right to self-defense front and center, is filling a void left by outlets many believe have abandoned objectivity.

The effect is measurable. According to the information provided in the JewishInsider.com report, the network’s growth in historically liberal areas such as New York City and Los Angeles is no longer anecdotal—it’s statistical. And as antisemitism continues to spike globally and domestically, Fox appears poised to remain a central media outlet for a growing segment of American Jewry.

In the words of Perino, “If you care about doing the right thing… news comes first.” And increasingly, Jewish viewers are rewarding that journalistic clarity with their trust.